A horse that was being escorted on the track for a race became skittish and broke free from its handler. The horse panicked and smashed though barriers, in the process knocking a 66 year old male handler from Toronto to the ground causing him life threatening injuries.

Niagara Emergency Medical Services Paramedics attended and transported the victim to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo where he remains in critical condition.Due to the injuries it sustained during the incident the horse was euthanized

The 5 District Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB), the NRPS Forensic Service Unit (FSU) and the Ministry of Labour attended the scene.The matter remains under investigation by the Ministry of Labour.